Youth Corner for February

Another preview!

As we begin our discernment process for youth ministry, I continue to welcome not only input, but prayer for the Spirit’s influence in the development of our Youth Ministry program. This is an opportunity for us to gather all of our resources together to determine the best means of moving forward. This means that we should learn about what we “used to do” and what we’ve seen “work” somewhere else. But it is also the opportunity for us to say what we like and what we would want. It is a time to determine what is best for the spiritual development of the specific generations represented in our youth program.

Most of us have at least a little bit of knowledge about generation stuff. We know about Baby Boomers and the World War II generation (or ‘The Greatest Generation’ according to Tom Brokaw) and Generation X. Most of us know that today’s teenagers and early twentysomethings are Millenials (formerly Gen Y). Our infants and toddlers and grade-schoolers represent another generation entirely that has yet to find its voice, let alone a name! In church, like the world around us, we like to talk about people as if not only every 15 year-old were the same, but that every 15 year-old is always the same and has always been the same. Boy, could that be further from the truth!

And this isn’t really about “society today” or the supposed “erosion of the public school system” or any specific external event. This is about an environment that has formed a group of people to be individuals that are different from, bur recognizable in their parents. That is why our efforts should be about appealing to these two generations, in whatever way we can. As a Gen Xer, I don’t buy into the things that are attempts to ‘win’ or woo me in a particular direction, but I want to know that I have a stake in the game. Many Millenials have presupposed that stake.

Regardless of the generation to which you belong, I ask that you join me in seeing each of our youngest members as truly that: full members and participants in the life of this parish that is doing the incredible and difficult work of supposing that they may do the work of God as revealed in Jesus Christ.

Upcoming:

Winter Retreat 2008 on February 9^th-10^th: open to 3^rd-8^th graders.

• We’ll be sledding and swimming and hanging out in Portland, MI.

Holding our World in Prayer on February 22^nd- 23^rd.

• A diocesan workshop that will be held at St. David’s. Appropriate for many of our youth and something that should have high participation by the host congregation.

Nightwatch: Sr. High on March 29^th -30^th.

• I’m awaiting updated information about this, but the Sr. High Nightwatch is looking to be in Chicago this year.

Curate’s Corner for February

I am posting my column from next month's newsletter as it is written. Perhaps the timing may seem a bit funny, but it is an opportunity to get a 'leg up' on what we are doing.

Lent? Already? Where has the time gone? Yesterday it was Happy New Year and the day before was Merry Christmas. Today it’s “OK, one more pancake, but after that, NO MORE!”

Actually, I like Lent. Not in the self-deprecating way, or the overly penitential (not to be confused with penitentiary), but in the it-all-leads-up-to-this way. I like the season because it is dramatic storytelling and it is the time when the Bible most feels like a story worth reading! From the temptation in the desert (Matt 4), the woman at the well (John 4), to the triumphal entry (Matt 21) on Palm Sunday, this story leads up to perhaps the most exciting moment in all of scripture: Jesus’ death and resurrection. We know the pieces of that story so well (the last supper, Judas’ treachery, Peter’s thrice denial, the cross, the darkness, the incredible empty tomb), but it is the story that precedes it that matters. Few of us felt like reading the final Harry Potter before starting the others, nor would we be satisfied only reading that seventh book over and over. In fact, that book only makes sense as the conclusion to what came before it. I feel that way about Lent. It’s a supershot of Christian adrenalin so that we can make the climb to our most important moment!

It’s hard to feel that way at the beginning of February, I know. It’s cold outside. As I write this, there’s snow and the forecast for Sunday is 10 degrees. We have just gotten over the birth story, and the Wise Men just showed up for their annual trip to the front of the church. You are no doubt saying “I’m not ready.” I don’t blame you. I feel about the same way.

But when are we really ready? When do we say to ourselves “Let’s do this! Let’s do church today!” or “Let’s make this the best expression of thanksgiving that we can muster!” or “ Let’s go out into the community and prepare the Kingdom of God!”? Never. Do we do this when the weather is warm? When the grass is green? How often do we really push ourselves to do the work in which we were called? Is cold and snow really an excuse?

As good Episcopalians, we know doubt uphold the traditions we were taught: give something up for Lent (preferably something decadent like chocolate or caffeine). If you’re like my family, you do the opposite, recognizing in Lent the opportunity to take something new on. I’m thinking of splitting the difference for Lent. How about ‘doing’ for Lent.

I know what you’re thinking: “doing? What’s that about?” or else “how does one ‘do’ for Lent?” or else “no, you don’t know what I’m thinking!” But anyway, my point is this: I’ll be doing for Lent. I’ll be standing and sitting and reading and helping and talking and listening and shoveling and writing and praying and teaching and loving for Lent instead of ‘being’. I’ll respond to the environment and watch for opportunities. Pretty hokey, I know, but not something any of us is really used to. We’re used to our traditions and our experiences and our memories and our we’ve-always-done-that’s and our descriptors: happy, friendly, kind, nice, well-behaved, appropriate, fun: that we so seldom use to describe the present or others. Lent is a time for doing!

Of course, we’ll be ‘doing’ with solemnity, but that’s sure better than being solemn.

Confirmation Class Begins

Confirmation classes began January 13th at 1:00.

Confirmation is open to those individuals who are interested in making a personal commitment to reaffirm the baptismal covenant made on his/her behalf. Prospective candidates must be at least 16 before March 30th, 2008. There is still space if you or someone you know is interested. Please contact me ASAP at this address: dndrew.stdavids@sbcglobal.net

Winter Retreat 2008

We are currently in the planning stages for the Second Annual Winter Retreat 2008, an opportunity for our 3-8th graders to go sledding and join in fellowship in nearby Portland, MI. The dates are February 9th and 10th. If you are interested in joining us, please contact the office.